Water purifier

ABSTRACT

A water purifier that includes: a water storage tank that includes an interior area and a first opening to the interior area; a cover unit that is configured to cover the first opening and that includes: a frame body that includes a second opening, and a water storage tank cover that is coupled to the frame body and that is configured to rotate about an axis such that the water storage tank cover opens or closes the second opening; a sterilizer that is configured to sterilize water in the water storage tank; a switching module that is configured to control electric power supply to the sterilizer; and an operation member that is configured to control the switching module based on the water storage tank cover being opened or closed is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/355,054, filed on Mar. 15, 2019, now allowed, which is continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 15/592,715, filed on May 11, 2017, nowabandoned, which claims benefit to Korean Patent Application No.10-2016-0058989 filed on May 13, 2016, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FILED

The present application generally relates to technologies related to awater purifier.

BACKGROUND

A water purifier refers to an apparatus for purifying raw water such astap water such that the raw water is suitable for drinking. Such a waterpurifier is classified variously into a natural filtration scheme, adirect filtration scheme, a distillation filtration scheme, a reverseosmosis scheme and the like. In current time, examples of the mostcommonly used filter include a natural filtration water purifier and adirect filtration water purifier that purify water by using a filter.

Such a water purifier using a filter includes a filter and a waterstorage tank. In some cases, a separate heater and a separate coolingsystem using a refrigerant may be provided to supply cold water and hotwater.

SUMMARY

In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described inthis specification can be implemented in a water purifier including: abody; a water storage tank that is located inside the body, that isconfigured to store water, and that includes an interior area and afirst opening to the interior area; a cover unit that is configured tocover the first opening and that includes: a frame body (i) that iscoupled to portions of the water storage tank that surround the firstopening and (ii) that includes a second opening, and a water storagetank cover that is coupled to the frame body and that is configured torotate about an axis such that the water storage tank cover opens orcloses the second opening; a sterilizer that is located on a surface ofthe water storage tank cover and that is configured to sterilize waterin the water storage tank; a switching module that is coupled to theframe body and that is configured to control electric power supply tothe sterilizer; and an operation member that is located on the surfaceof the water storage tank cover and that is configured to control theswitching module based on the water storage tank cover being opened orclosed.

The foregoing and other implementations can each optionally include oneor more of the following features, alone or in combination. Inparticular, one implementation includes all the following features incombination. The frame body includes: a recess on a first surface of theframe body, the recess accommodating the switching module. The operationmember includes a magnet that is configured to generate a magneticfield, and wherein the switching module includes a reed switch that isconfigured to, in response to a magnetic field generated by the magnet,control electric power supply to the sterilizer. The water storage tankcover includes: a magnet receiving part that includes a recessaccommodating the magnet. The magnet is arranged to face the switchingmodule based on the water storage tank cover being opened or closed. Ina state that the water storage tank cover is closed, the magnet isarranged to face the switching module. The switching module furtherincludes: a switch cover that covers the reed switch and that isaccommodated in the recess of the frame body. The switch cover includes:a plate that covers the reed switch, and hooks that extend from theplate and that are configured to catch the reed switch. The switch coverfurther includes: a fixing member including a first portion and a secondportion, wherein the first portion of the fixing member is fixed to theplate, and wherein the second portion of the fixing member is movable tohold the water storage tank cover based on the water storage tank coverbeing opened or closed. In a state that the water storage tank cover isclosed, the fixing member holds the water storage tank cover. The fixingmember is made of flexible material such that the second portion of thefixing member is movable. The water purifier further includes: a hinge(i) that couples a first edge of the water storage tank cover to theframe body and (ii) that is configured to rotate about the axis alongthe first edge of the water storage tank cover, wherein the waterstorage tank cover is configured to rotate with the hinge about theaxis. The water purifier further includes: a wire that passes throughthe hinge and that connects the sterilizer and the switching module. Theswitching module includes: a micro-switch that is configured to controlelectric power supply to the sterilizer, and wherein the operationmember includes: a pressing protrusion that protrudes from the waterstorage tank cover and that is configured to, based on the water storagetank cover being opened or closed, press a portion of the micro-switchsuch that the micro-switch controls electric power supply to thesterilizer. The water purifier further includes: an extension that iscoupled to the water storage tank cover, wherein the switching moduleincludes: a micro-switch that is configured to control electric powersupply to the sterilizer, and wherein the operation member includes: apressing protrusion that protrudes from the extension and that isconfigured to, based on the water storage tank cover being opened orclosed, press a portion of the micro-switch such that the micro-switchcontrols electric power supply to the sterilizer. The switching moduleincludes: a switch case that accommodates the micro-switch, and a switchcover that covers the switch case and that includes a third opening,wherein the pressing protrusions is configured to press the portion ofthe micro-switch through the third opening. The portion of themicro-switch is a switch lever. In a state that the water storage tankcover is opened, the operation member is configured to turn off theswitching module. In a state that the water storage tank cover isclosed, the operation member is configured to turn on the switchingmodule. The sterilizer is configured to emit ultraviolet rays.

The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented inparticular examples so as to realize one or more of the followingadvantages. Comparing to a conventional water purifier, a water purifierincludes a sterilizer that is operated based on a water storage tankcover being opened or closed. Thus, the water purifier does not requireadditional manipulation to operate or stop the sterilizer when a useropens or closes the water storage tank cover.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter of thisspecification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of thesubject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings,and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example water purifier.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example water storage tank assemblymounted on a water purifier.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example water storage tank assembly.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example cover unit.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an example water storage tankassembly in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating an example cover unit.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A water purifier is a device to purify water. In some implementations,the water purifier can be applied to various home appliances. Forexample, the water purifier can be applied to a water dispenser, a watercooler, an ice maker, a refrigerator, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example water purifier. FIG. 2 illustrates anexample water storage tank assembly mounted on a water purifier.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a water purifier 1 includes a body 10 thatdefines an outer appearance.

The body 10 may include a first front panel 11 that defines a frontupper portion of the body 10, a second front panel 12 that defines afront lower portion thereof, side panels 13 that define side surfacesthereof, and an upper panel 14 that defines an upper surface thereof.

The first front panel 11 may be arranged on a front surface of the body10 and have an overall stepped shape. The first front panel 11 protrudesfrom a front upper portion of the body 10 such that a lower portionthereof may be opened according to a shape of the second front panel 12.

The second front panel 12 is arranged below the front surface of thebody 10. The second front panel 12 may be coupled to the first frontpanel 11 by shielding an open area of the first front panel 11.

The side panels 13 are arranged on side surfaces of the body 10. Thepair of side surfaces 13 are formed and may be formed on opposite sidesurfaces of the body 10, respectively. The pair of side panels 13 may becoupled to opposite side ends of the first front panel 11, respectively.

In some implementations, the upper panel 14 is arranged on an uppersurface of the body 10. The upper panel 14 may simultaneously connect anupper end of the first front panel 11 and upper ends of the side panels13.

That is, the body 10 may be protected while being surrounded by thefirst front panel 11, the second front panel 12, the side panels 13 andthe upper panel 14.

In some implementations, a filter for purifying water introduced intothe body 10 and a water storage tank assembly 20 in which the waterpurified by the filter is stored may be provided in an internal space ofthe body 10, which is shielded by the first front panel 11, the secondfront panel 12, the side panels 13 and the upper panel 14.

The water storage tank assembly 20 may be located on an upper side ofthe internal space and may be covered by the upper panel 14. The waterstored in the water storage tank assembly 20 may be discharged to theoutside to be supplied to a user. Here, the body 10 may further includea discharge unit 15 for discharging the water stored in the waterstorage tank assembly 20 to the outside.

The discharge unit 15 may be formed at any upper portion of the secondfront panel 12 and may include a water discharge part through which thewater stored in the water storage tank assembly 20 is discharged. Awater passage is formed inside the water discharge part so that thewater stored in the water storage tank assembly 20 may be discharged tothe discharge unit 15.

In some implementations, a water receiving tray 16 may be formed belowthe second front panel 12. The water receiving tray 16 may be locatedbelow the water discharge part such that water that is taken out fromthe water discharge part may be collected in the water receiving tray16.

The internal space of the body 10 may further include at least one of acompressor that compresses a refrigerant, a heater that heats watersupplied by the water storage tank assembly 20, a cold water tank inwhich cold water is stored and a hot water tank in which hot water isstored.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example water storage tank assembly. FIG. 4illustrates an example cover unit.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the water storage tank assembly 20 includesa water storage tank 30 in which water is stored and a cover unit 40 forsealing an upper open surface of the water storage tank 30.

The water storage tank 30 may have various shapes. For example, thewater storage tank 30 can be a box shape, a cylinder shape, a hexahedralshape, etc. In some implementations, an upper surface of the waterstorage tank 30 can be opened with a lid to fill water inside of thewater storage tank 30. In some other implementations, an upper surfaceof the water storage tank 30 can include an opening through which watercan be filled. The opening can be closed using a cap. In some otherimplementations, a coupling part for separably coupling the cover unit40 to the water storage tank 30 is formed on an outer side of an upperend of the water storage tank 30. Thus, the cover unit 40 may be mountedon the water storage tank 30 by coupling a portion of the cover unit 40to the coupling part of the water storage tank 30.

The cover unit 40 is located on the upper opened surface of the waterstorage tank 30 to serve to selectively open and close the water storagetank 30. Such a cover unit 40 may include a cover frame 50 that ismounted on an upper side of the water storage tank 30 and a waterstorage tank cover 60 that is mounted on an inner side of the coverframe 50.

In detail, the cover frame 50 includes a frame body 511 that is fixed toan upper side of the water storage tank 30. An opening 512 on which thewater storage tank cover 60 is seated may be formed in the frame body511 to have a through-formed frame shape. Thus, the water storage tankcover 60 may be seated on the opening 512 to be mounted on the coverframe 50.

A first fixing member 513 for fixing the water storage tank cover 60 tothe frame body 511 when the water storage tank cover 60 is seated on theframe body 511 may be formed at an upper edge of the frame body 511.

The first fixing member 513 may be formed to be elastically deformableand to be bent at least one time to catch an edge of the water storagetank cover 60. Thus, the first fixing member 513 may fix the waterstorage tank cover 60 such that the water storage tank cover 60 is notseparated from the opening 512 when the water storage tank cover 60 isseated on the frame body 511.

As an example, a plurality of first fixing members 513 may be formed.Here, the plurality of fixing members 513 may be arranged on the upperedge of the frame body 511 to be spaced apart from each other. Thus, thewater storage tank cover 60 may be firmly mounted on the frame body 511by the first fixing members 513.

A coupling part separably couples the frame body 511 to the waterstorage tank 30 is formed at an edge of a lower surface of the framebody 511. The coupling part of the frame body 511 may be separablycoupled to the coupling part that is formed on the outer side of theupper end of the water storage tank 30.

In some implementations, a switching module 51 for operating asterilizer which will be described below may be mounted on one side ofthe frame body 511. The switching module 51 may be coupled to anexternal power supply unit and the sterilizer which will be describedbelow and may perform an on-off operation to selectively supply electricpower to the sterilizer.

In some implementations, the switching module 51 may include reedswitches 52.

For each reed switch 52, when two magnetic reed elements of the reedswitch 52 are sealed in a glass tube. When these two magnetic reedelements are opened by elasticity of a spring, respective contact pointsof the two reed elements are coupled to each other by a magnetic circuit(e.g., closed state) when a magnet having magnetism becomes closethereto.

In this example, a closed state of the reed switch represents that theswitching module is switched on. An open state of the reed switchrepresents that the switching module is switched off.

In this example, a magnet for switching on the reed switch 52 is mountedon the water storage tank cover 60. Thus, when the water storage tankcover 60 is closed, the reed switch 52 may be switched on, and when thewater storage tank cover 60 is open, the reed switch 52 may be switchedoff.

A method for switching on/off the reed switch 52 based onopening/closing of the water storage tank cover 60 will be describedbelow.

The above-described reed switch 52 may be received in a first recessedportion 514 that is recessed in an upper surface of the frame body 511.

The switching module 51 may further include a switch cover 53 that isinserted into the first recessed portion 514 in a state in which thereed switch 52 is coupled thereto.

The switch cover 53 may serve to support the reed switch 52 such thatthe reed switch 52 is operated in the first recessed portion 514 withoutshaking and prevent the water stored in the water storage tank 30 frombeing taken out and being penetrated into the reed switch 52.

In detail, the switch cover 53 may include a plate 531 that covers uppersurfaces of the reed switches 52 and hooks 533 that extend from a lowersurface of the plate 531 to catch the reed switches 52.

The plate 531 may be located on the upper surfaces of the reed switches52 to shield the upper surfaces of the reed switches 52 and an opensurface of the first recessed portion 514.

The hooks 533 extend downward from an edge of the plate 531 to catchportions of side surfaces and a bottom surface of the reed switches 52.

In some implementations, the switch cover 53 mat further include asecond fixing member 535 that is formed on an upper surface of the plate531.

The second fixing member 535 serves to catch the edge of the waterstorage tank cover 60, which is like the first fixing member 513.

The second fixing member 535 may be rotatably or elastically deformablycoupled to the plate 531 to fix the edge of the water storage tank cover60 to the frame body 511 in a state in which the water storage tankcover 60 is closed. As an example, the second fixing member 535 may berotatably hinge-coupled to the plate 531 to be rotated by manipulationof a user. However, as another example, the second fixing member 535 maybe formed of an elastically deformable material and may be fixed to oneside of the plate 531.

A water level detecting sensor 54 for measuring a water level of thewater stored in the water storage tank 30 may be provided on a lateralside of the frame body 511 on which the reed switches 52 are mounted.

The water level detecting sensor 54 may be received in a second recessedportion 515 that is recessed in a lateral side of the first recessedportion 514. The water level detecting sensor 54 may measure a waterlevel of the water stored in the water storage tank 30 to provide themeasured water level of the water to a control unit of the waterpurifier 1.

In some implementations, a power supply hole 516 through which a wire P,e.g., a signal line or a power line, that electrically connects theexternal power supply unit to the reed switches 52, the water leveldetecting sensor 54 and the sterilizer may be formed on any uppersurface of the frame body 511. As an example, the power supply hole 516may be formed through a corner on the upper surface of the frame body511.

Electric power supplied by the power supply unit may be provided to thewater level detecting sensor 54 and the sterilizer. Here, the signalline or power line P that extends from the sterilizer may pass through ahollow hole of a hinge (described below) formed in the water storagetank cover 60 to be coupled to the switching module 51 or the powersupply unit.

In this example, the signal line or power line P that extends from theexternal power supply unit is coupled to the sterilizer through theswitching module.

However, in some implementations, a positive line (+) of the power linemay be coupled to the sterilizer through the switching module and anegative line (−) may be directly coupled to the sterilizer not throughthe switching module.

The water storage tank cover 60 may be seated on the opening 512 of theframe body 511 to serve to selectively open and close the upper opensurface of the water storage tank 30.

In particular, the water storage tank cover 60 may be rotatably coupledto the frame body 511 to selectively open and close the opening 512. Thewater storage tank cover 60 may be formed to correspond to a shape ofthe open part 512 so as to be seated on the opening 512. Here, an edgeof the water storage tank cover 60 may be stepped to be seated on theopening 512. Thus, when the water storage tank cover 60 is seated on theopening 512, a portion of the edge of the water storage tank cover 60 isfitted in the opening 512, so that the water storage tank cover 60 maybe seated on the opening 512.

A hinge 62 may be formed at an edge of the water storage tank cover 60.The hinge 62 connects the edge of the water storage tank cover 60 and anedge of the frame body 511 to each other. The hinge 62 includes a hingeshaft that serves as a center of rotation of the water storage tankcover 60. Thus, the water storage tank cover 60 may be rotatably coupledto the frame body 511 by the hinge 62.

A handle 63 that is held by a user to open/close the water storage tankcover 60 may further provided on an opposite side to the edge of thewater storage tank cover 60, at which the hinge 62 is formed.

The handle 63 may extend upward from the edge of the frame body 511 andbe then bent sideward. A plurality of handles 63 may be provided, andthe plurality of handles 63 may be spaced apart from each other.

A sterilizer 61 may be formed on the upper surface of the water storagetank cover 60.

In some implementations, the sterilizer 61 may emit ultraviolet rays tothe water stored in the water storage tank 30. To this end, a slit maybe formed through the upper surface of the water storage tank cover 60and ultraviolet rays that are emitted by the sterilizer 61 pass throughthe slit and are moved to the water stored in the water storage tank 30.

The sterilizer 61 may include a mounting part 611 that is installed inthe water storage tank cover 60 in which the slit is formed, anultraviolet ray lamp 613 that is received in the mounting part 611 and amounting part cover 614 that is arranged in the water storage tank cover60 to completely cover the mounting part 611.

The mounting part 611 defines a receiving part 611 a for receiving theultraviolet lamp 613. Screw coupling parts 611 b for screw-coupling themounting part 611 and the mounting part cover 615 to each other mayfurther formed on opposite sides of the mounting part 611.

In some implementations, a communication hole 611 c through which theultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet ray lamp 613 pass throughthe slit may be formed on a bottom surface of the receiving part 611 aof the mounting part 611. That is, the communication hole 611 c maycommunicate the receiving part 611 a and the slit such that theultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet ray lamp 613 are radiatedinto the water storage tank 30.

The ultraviolet ray lamp 613 is received in the receiving part 611 a ofthe mounting part 611 and emits ultraviolet rays for sterilizingmicroorganisms that are proliferated in the water stored in the waterstorage tank 30.

The mounting part cover 614 may be positioned on the water storage tankcover 60 to completely cover the mounting part 611. The mounting partcover 615 may be screw-coupled to the screw coupling parts 611 b of themounting part 611 to be fixed to the mounting part 611.

In some implementations, an operation member that switches on or off theswitching module 51 may be mounted on one side of the water storage tankcover 60. Here, the operation member may include a magnet M.

The magnet M may be received in a magnet receiving part 65 that isrecessed in the upper surface of the water storage tank cover 60. Insome implementations, in a state in which the water storage tank cover60 is closed, the magnet M and the switching module 51 may face eachother. Thus, when the water storage tank cover 60 is closed, the magnetM becomes closer to the switching module 51, and accordingly, theswitching module 51 may be switched on (closed state). In someimplementations, when the switching module 51 is switched on, theexternal power supply unit and the sterilizer 61 are coupled to eachother, so that electric power is supplied to the sterilizer 61, andthus, the sterilizer 61 may be operated.

In some implementations, in a state in which the water storage tankcover 60 is open, the magnet M and the switching module 51 becomesfarther away from each other, so that the switching module 51 may beswitched off. When the switching module 51 is switched off, the externalpower supply unit and the sterilizer 61 are decoupled from each other,so that electric power supplied to the sterilizer 61 is interrupted, andthus, the operation of the sterilizer 61 may be terminated.

in some implementations, two switching modules are formed and twomagnets for operating the two switching modules are also provided. Whenone switching module is installed, if the switching module is damaged,the sterilizer is not operated even when the water storage tank cover isclosed. Thus, in this example, even when one switching module isdamaged, the sterilizer may be driven by the other one switching module.In some other implementations, one switching module and one magnet maybe provided.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an example water storage tank assembly in FIG.3. In FIG. 6, a water storage tank cover 60 of the water storage tankassembly is open.

Referring to FIG. 5, the water storage tank cover 60 is arranged toshield the open surface of the water storage tank 30. Here, the magnet Mthat is mounted on the water storage tank cover 60 becomes closer to theswitching module 51 that is mounted on the frame body 51. Then, amagnetic field is generated based on the approaching of the magnet M andthe reed switch 52 of the switching module 51 is switched on through themagnetic field. When the reed switch 52 is switched on, the externalpower supply unit and the sterilizer 61 are coupled to each other, sothat electric power is supplied to the sterilizer 61, and thus, thesterilizer 61 may be operated.

Referring to FIG. 6, in some implementations, when the upper surface ofthe water storage tank 30 is opened by rotating the water storage tankcover 60, the magnet M becomes farther away from the switching module51. Then, the reed switch 52 is switched off again, and accordingly, theelectric power that supplied to the sterilizer 61 may be interrupted.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example cover unit.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cover unit 40 includes a cover frame 50 that ismounted on an upper surface of a water storage tank 30 in which water isstored and a water storage tank cover 60 that is mounted on an innerside of the cover frame 50.

The cover frame 50 is seated on the upper surface of the water storagetank 30 to cover an open upper surface of the water storage tank 30 andincludes a frame body having an opening 512 formed therein.

A switching module 55 that performs an on-off operation to selectivelysupply electric power to the sterilizer 61 mounted on the water storagetank cover 60 is mounted in the frame body 511.

In detail, the switching module 55 may include a switch case 551, amicro-switch 553 that is received in the switch case 551 and a switchcover 555 that covers an upper surface of the switch case 551 and hasthrough-holes 556 formed therein.

The switch case 551 has a reception part of which at least an uppersurface is open and which receives the micro-switch 553. The switch case551 may be inserted into a first recessed portion 514 that is recessedin an upper surface of the frame body 511.

The switch cover 555 is coupled to the switch case 551 to cover themicro-switch 553. Here, a portion of the switch cover 555 may beinsert-coupled to a portion of the switch case 551.

The switch cover 555 may be formed to have a plate shape in which thethrough-holes 556 are formed. Here, the through-holes 556 may be locatedon an upper side of a switch lever (described below) of the switch case551.

The micro-switch 553 may be received in the switch case 551 and performan on-off operation to selectively supply electric power to thesterilizer 61. The micro-switch 553 may be switched on or off by anoperation member (described below) that is formed in the water storagetank cover 60.

The micro-switch 553 may be, for example, a micro-switch that includes acontact mechanism that has a fine contact spacing and a snap operationmechanism and performs an opening/closing operation by a regulatedoperation and force.

In this example, a state in which the switching module is switched onrefers to a state in which the micro-switch is in a closed state and astate in which the switching module is switched off refers to a state inwhich the micro-switch is in an open state.

In detail, the micro-switch 553 may include a switch body 553 a, aterminal 553 b that is formed on one side of the switch body 553 a, aswitch lever 553 c that is provided on the other side of the switch body553 a and a resilient member 553 d that is positioned outside the switchlever 553 c.

That is, when the terminal 553 b is maintained in an off state, when theresilient member 553 d and the switch lever 553 c are pressed, theterminal 553 d may be changed to an on state. When the terminal isswitched on, the external power supply unit and the sterilizer 61 arecoupled to each other, so that electric power is supplied to thesterilizer 61, and thus, the sterilizer 61 may be operated.

In some implementations, the water storage tank cover 60 furtherincludes an extension 64 that extends from an edge of the water storagetank cover 60.

In detail, the extension 64 further extends from the edge to a lateralside of the water storage tank cover 60 to cover the switching module55.

The extension 64 further includes pressing protrusions 641 that protrudedownward from a bottom surface of the extension 64.

The pressing protrusions 641 may serve as an operation member forpressing the switching lever 553 c when the water storage tank cover 60is closed.

That is, when the water storage tank cover 60 is closed, the pressingprotrusions 641 pass through the through-holes 556 of the switch cover555 to press the switch lever 553 c of the micro-switch 553. Thus, whenthe water storage tank cover 60 is closed, the micro-switch 553 may beswitched on by the pressing protrusions 641.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an example cover unit in FIG. 7. In FIG. 9, awater storage tank cover 60 is open.

Referring to FIG. 8, the water storage tank cover 60 is arranged toshield the open surface of the water storage tank 30. Here, the pressingprotrusions 60 that are formed in the water storage tank cover 60 passthrough the through-holes 556 of the switch cover 555 mounted on theframe body 511 to press the switch lever 553 c of the micro-switch 553.Then, the micro-switch 553 is switched on and the external power supplyunit and the sterilizer 61 are coupled to each other, so that electricpower is supplied to the sterilizer 61, and thus, the sterilizer 61 maybe operated.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the upper surface of the water storage tank 30is opened by rotating the water storage tank cover 60, the pressingprotrusions 641 are separated from the through-holes 556. Thus, as theswitch lever 553 c is depressed, the micro-switch 553 is switched offagain, and accordingly, the electric power that supplied to thesterilizer 61 may be interrupted.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water purifier comprising: a water storage tankthat defines an interior area configured to store water and that definesa first opening in communication with the interior area; a cover unitthat is configured to cover the first opening, the cover unitcomprising: a frame body configured to couple to the water storage tankand to surround the first opening, the frame body defining a secondopening configured to communicate with the first opening, and a waterstorage tank cover that is coupled to the frame body and that isconfigured to rotate relative to the frame body to thereby open andclose the second opening; a sterilizer located at the water storage tankcover and configured to sterilize water in the water storage tank; aswitching module coupled to the frame body, the switching modulecomprising a switch configured to control electric power to be suppliedto the sterilizer; and an operation member located at the water storagetank cover and configured to control the switch based on the waterstorage tank cover being opened or closed, wherein the operation membercomprises a pressing protrusion that protrudes from the water storagetank cover and that is configured to, based on the water storage tankcover being opened or closed, contact the switch to thereby control theelectric power to be supplied to the sterilizer.
 2. The water purifierof claim 1, wherein the frame body defines a recess that is recessedfrom a surface of the frame body and that accommodates the switchingmodule.
 3. The water purifier of claim 1, further comprising anextension portion coupled to the water storage tank cover, wherein thepressing protrusion protrudes from the extension portion.
 4. The waterpurifier of claim 3, wherein the extension portion extends outward froma lateral side edge of the water storage tank cover and covers theswitching module.
 5. The water purifier of claim 3, wherein the pressingprotrusion protrudes downward from a bottom surface of the extensionportion.
 6. The water purifier of claim 1, wherein the switching modulefurther comprises: a switch case that accommodates the switch; and aswitch cover that covers the switch case and that defines a thirdopening in communication with an inside of the switch case.
 7. The waterpurifier of claim 6, wherein the pressing protrusion is configured topress the switch through the third opening.
 8. The water purifier ofclaim 7, wherein the switch comprises a switch lever that is configuredto be pressed by the pressing protrusion.
 9. The water purifier of claim1, further comprising: a hinge that couples an edge of the water storagetank cover to the frame body, wherein the water storage tank cover isconfigured to rotate about an axis extending along the hinge.
 10. Thewater purifier of claim 9, further comprising: a wire that passesthrough the hinge and that connects the sterilizer and the switchingmodule to each other.
 11. The water purifier of claim 1, wherein thepressing protrusion is configured to separate from the switch to therebyturn off the switch based on the water storage tank cover being opened.12. The water purifier of claim 1, wherein the pressing protrusion isconfigured to contact the switch to thereby turn on the switch based onthe water storage tank cover being closed.
 13. The water purifier ofclaim 1, wherein the sterilizer is configured to emit ultraviolet light.14. The water purifier of claim 13, wherein the sterilizer comprises anultraviolet light lamp that is configured to face the water storagetank, and that is located vertically below the water storage tank cover,and that is configured to emit the ultraviolet light to the waterstorage tank.
 15. A water purifier comprising: a water storage tank thatdefines an interior area configured to store water and that defines atank opening in communication with the interior area; a body thatdefines an outer appearance of the water purifier and is configured tohouse the water storage tank therein; a frame body that is configured tocouple to the water storage tank and that defines a frame openingconfigured to communicate with the tank opening, and a water storagetank cover that is coupled to the frame body and that is configured torotate relative to the frame body to thereby open and close the frameopening; a sterilizer located at the water storage tank cover andconfigured to sterilize water in the water storage tank; a protrusionthat protrudes from the water storage tank cover toward the frame body;and a switch disposed at the frame body and configured to controlelectric power to be supplied to the sterilizer based on a distancebetween the protrusion and the switch.
 16. The water purifier of claim15, wherein the protrusion is configured to contact the switch based onthe water storage tank cover being closed.
 17. The water purifier ofclaim 15, wherein the switch is configured to, based on a decrease ofthe distance between the protrusion and the switch, be turned on tothereby supply the electric power to the sterilizer.
 18. The waterpurifier of claim 17, wherein the switch is configured to, based on anincrease of the distance between the protrusion and the switch, beturned off to thereby cut off the electric power supplied to thesterilizer.
 19. The water purifier of claim 15, further comprising: aswitch case that is disposed at the frame body and that accommodates theswitch; and a switch cover that covers the switch case and that definesa through-hole configured to receive the protrusion based on rotation ofthe water storage tank cover.
 20. The water purifier of claim 19,wherein the frame body defines a recess that is recessed from an uppersurface of the frame body and that accommodates the switch case and theswitch cover.